The current queen of Bollywood: Aishwarya Rai
As a follow up to the popular "Six Ways to Dress like a Parisian", I wanted to write about how to use my own culture for inspiration in dressing. Indian style is lush (beautiful jewel tones) and rich (lots of gold) sometimes to the point of being gawdy, but it is all relative. If you are going to an Indian wedding, you will look like a mourner even if you are in the chicest black dress. But if you do it up full on Indian style out to a restaurant with friends you will be certainly mistaken for a disco ball. Here are some easy ways to be inspired by Bollywood style:
1. Pile on the bangles. You will almost always find silver bangles piled on my wrist. I love the way they tinkle together and dress up my wrist regardless of what I'm wearing.
Nicole Ritchie wears bangles her own way
2. Don't be afraid of colour. A bright dress, clutch and shawl all work well together when in the same colour family. Neutral shoes are less harsh than black.
3. Always Eyeliner. Dark eyeliner creates a mysterious, exotic look, especially if you have dark eyes. In India, kohl was used (and sometimes still is) to rim the eyes of babies to ward off evil eyes.
Freida Pinto has transitioned from Bollywood to Hollywood style
4. Sparkly Chandelier Earrings. It is shocking for an Indian girl to go anywhere without earrings on. Thankfully this pretty style comes in all sizes and levels of bling to suit day or night.
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Hi Kena,
I love to watch Bollywood movies and I love the costumes!!! This article was very inspiring to read!
Love,
Lilly
beautiful. I've always been enamored by Indian styles, the saris are so beautiful. I took a cultural anthropology class a year ago and we actually spent quite a bit of time anaylzing the fashion culture of India, this post totally reminded me of how academic fashion can be
Always do the bangle pile up and really love the chandelier earrings!
Thanks for your comment Kristen. Yes - they are really universal style now!
I love the colors of Indian fashion... I pile on the blings on my wrist and I wear big earrings as well. I thought you will also advice us to wear bindhis. I have a ton from my recent travel to India. Love your blog! Hugs!
Thanks for your comment Leah! So glad you like my blog and I will check yours out today. As for wearing a bindi, I would say wear one only when you are going for an all over Indian vibe for evening (jewel toned dress, chandelier earrings) or if you are going to an Indian wedding. Otherwise, you may risk looking like you're in costume.
Great post! Well done for sharing the fashion tastes of your culture in such a accessible way. I could apply to all of your tips to myself, even though I am from Hungary and have strawberry blonde short hair
Thanks so much for this information. I'm headed to an engagement ceremony, and I want to blend in.
You are so welcome! Send in pics of what you wore
hola! buenos dias a todos tengo un problema tengo que disfrazar a mi hijo de boliwood y no se donde puedo encontrar el traje o como hacerlo alguien me podria ayudar mi mail es el siguiente rosafernandezriera@hotmail.com
muchas gracias de antemano a todos!